Explore the raw emotions of doubt as expressed in the Psalms, particularly Psalm 73. Delve into the distinction between feelings and praying those feelings, highlighting how the psalmists process their struggles with faith. Discover how doubt can coexist with belief and may even lead to spiritual growth. The discussion emphasizes the importance of navigating doubt openly, offering practical steps to engage with it, and reassures listeners of God's grace amid uncertainty. Reconnect with the divine as we confront emotional turbulence in our faith journeys.
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insights INSIGHT
A Third Way to Deal with Feelings
The Psalms offer a third way of dealing with feelings, distinct from both religious and secular approaches.
They neither deny nor simply express feelings, but process them in prayer.
insights INSIGHT
Doubt as Spiritual Vertigo
Doubt is not purely intellectual but a condition of the soul and heart, a spiritual vertigo.
It arises when something observed clashes with one's spiritual understanding, creating instability.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Treadmill Vertigo
Timothy Keller shares an anecdote about experiencing physical vertigo on a treadmill.
This illustrates how mismatched sensory input can lead to disorientation, similar to spiritual doubt.
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In 'Mere Christianity', C.S. Lewis argues for the existence of God and defends Christian theology. The book is divided into four parts: the first argues for the existence of God based on the 'law of human nature'; the second defends Christian theology, including the 'Liar, lunatic, or Lord' trilemma regarding Jesus Christ; the third explores Christian ethics, including the cardinal and theological virtues; and the fourth discusses the Christian conception of God, particularly the Holy Trinity. Lewis also addresses topics such as free will, morality, sexual ethics, and the institution of marriage. The book is known for its clear and logical presentation of Christian apologetics and has been praised for its straightforward and humorous writing style[1][2][4].
A Severe Mercy
C.S. Lewis
A Severe Mercy is a deeply moving memoir that tells the story of Sheldon Vanauken and his wife Jean 'Davy' Davis. The book recounts their intense and romantic love, their conversion to Christianity influenced by their friendship with C.S. Lewis, and the profound spiritual struggles Vanauken faced after Davy's untimely death. The memoir delves into themes of love, faith, grief, and the concept of 'severe mercy' as coined by C.S. Lewis, who played a significant role in their spiritual journeys. Through letters, poems, and personal reflections, Vanauken explores the complexities of human love and divine mercy[2][3][5].
The advancement of learning
Francis Bacon
Written in 1605, *The Advancement of Learning* is a defense of learning against its detractors and a call to action for its advancement. Bacon addresses the limitations of traditional educational systems and advocates for a reformation in the pursuit of knowledge. He argues that knowledge should be used to improve human existence, not merely as an intellectual exercise. The work is divided into two books, the first critiquing the discredits of learning and the second providing a comprehensive survey of the domains of knowledge to be explored[2][3][5].
The anger, the fear, the hostility, the rawness, the white heat of the emotions expressed in the Psalms really just disturb people today. You look at it, and you say, “What is that doing in the Bible?” The answer is the psalmists are not discussing feelings, and they’re not expressing feelings. They’re praying their feelings. They’re processing their feelings in the presence of God.
What we’re going to look at today is doubt. Doubt always masquerades as more intellectual than it is, but doubt is a condition of the soul and the heart. And in Psalm 73, here’s a person filled with doubts, struggling with doubts about God and about faith.
Let’s see 1) what’s the condition, 2) what’s the cause of the condition, and 3) what’s the cure for the condition.
This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on February 20, 2000. Series: Psalms – The Songs of Jesus. Scripture: Psalm 73:1-3; 12-26.
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